Judy:  I am currently counselling a mother who is nursing her 6 week old
and was planning to wean him mostly to abm within the next month because
her husband got a special trip from his business which allows him to bring
her along for 5 days.  She thought that she wouldn't be able to pump that
often (although she is willing to), so she figured if he was taking more
bottles and less breastfeeding the absence would be easier.  The idea of
taking the baby with her had been brought up, but her husband thought she
"needed a break", and she agreed (but seems very ambivalent about it).
She is now considering nursing fully up to the time of the separation (and
I think she is considering taking baby along), and building a supply of
frozen milk to last during her absence.

It's very sad when mothers find themselves in these dilemmas, where
society is telling them that their relationship with their baby, as well
as their and their baby's health, is not as important as ------------(you
fill in the blank).

Just as with every other issue, the mother needs accurate information
about the potential risks of her decision and the options available to
her.  Then she needs to make an informed choice.  In your mother's
situation, there is probably some way to bring along the baby without
seeming "unprofessional" (i.e. keep the grandmother and baby in the hotel
room and not bring along to training sessions, nurse only during breaks,
or pump and nurse mornings and evenings as if she were at work back home).
I know, ideally she could bring the baby along on her training session and
teach her co-workers the real priorities, but that's our dream and that
may not be reality for her.  If she decides to leave the baby anyway, she
should pump at about the same intervals that she is currently feeding the
baby.  She may need a lot of support on her return, especially if the baby
refuses the breast, but if she has been informed of this possibility
ahead of time and knows that, although difficult, getting the baby back to
the breast can often be accomplished, she may not end up weaning as a
result of this unfortunate situation.  The end result may not be what we
see as the ideal, i.e. exclusive nursing and attachment parenting, but it
may be better than the more likely outcome of complete weaning that would
have happened if the mother hadn't had your information and support.  Hope
this helps.  Alicia Dermer, MD, IBCLC.